Good weekend

(to prevent any confusion this is a reminder that J was previously A)
J had a great weekend!  He is bonding with Russ some too!!  He had a great time at church too!  We went to the park with some friends last Friday and he played hard!  We are planning a picnic and play time at the park tomorrow with his siblings.  looking forward to that!  Then they are going to come out to our house for our 4th of July cookout!  Still not having any negative behaviors.  He is just a super sweet little boy!  He is acting more and more like a little brother to the big kids though and that is fun to see.  He wants to know where I am at all times and still won't leave my side for long.  He is content to just play near me though and doesn't require constant interaction.  I do believe he is stabilizing very well.

first visit

we had a good time yesterday.  the morning was spent just "doing" at home then after lunch we headed for town.  We had to stop at walmart to get Mykhal some swim trunks and A a life jacket ....we were heading for the pool!  Even though there were several vans there, the pool didn't seem overly crowded so we had a wonderful time playing for a couple of hours.  Once we got rinsed off and back into our day clothes we went back to walmart to get a few other things we needed.  We got A some new clothes that fit him.  so many of his things were way too big or just worn out.  He was so excited to have new things!  Finally it was time to head to Cici's pizza to meet up with the siblings.  A was so very excited to see them and they him!  So many hugs and kisses!  We were prepared for negatives after the visit since that has happened in the past but we didn't have any!  No "fall out"!  He was wound up a good bit from the excitement but settled right down when it was time for bed.  A has also decided he wants to be called Jr. since that is what his sibs call him.  We are happy to use whatever name he desires!  He is is happy self today and has gotten to ride his bike this morning already.  Now he is playing with the ABC toy.  We have more errands to run today but not until after lunch.  He's a real trooper about our going and doing.  So we are still soaking up the fun!  I feel so blessed to get to love on him!

Still smiling

This little guy is just awesome!  not only is he a REALLY cute kid, but he is just precious!  He is settling in very well and we are having lots of fun together.  I was able to get in touch with the foster mom that has his siblings today and we are going to meet for dinner tomorrow evening at Cici's Pizza!  Little A is very excited!  He is coloring pictures for his siblings....so sweet!  He got to talk to one of his sisters today on the phone....just precious!  He continues to be obedient, cheerful, and constantly asking to make sure he is being good.  I know there will be challenging days, but we are certainly soaking up the fun right now!

Good day

Today has been a wonderful day!  A stayed in bed until I went to wake him this morning.  Then he was ready to play!  He ate well and got himself dressed.  We went to Lowes to get some building supplies and then to Wendy's for lunch.  He played silly little games with Kerrie as we went through Lowes and then ate all his burger at lunch and all of his frosty.  He told us he had to be good and had to eat all his food to get his ice cream.  Did not see any ill behavior even after the sugary treat.  The afternoon was spent riding bikes and playing with sidewalk chalk outside.  We ate a dinner of fresh fruits and veggies and he loved it!  Then he had fun playing in the bath tonight!  His giggle is so cute!  He sat down beside me on the couch and played with his favorite new toy a Magna doodle!  He is quite the budding artist!  Soon it will be bedtime.  He is excited about going to church tomorrow.

Little A

A arrived this morning and quickly made himself at home once the caseworkers left.  He is extremely polite, sweet, and desires to be near.  The many things I read about him before he came to us have not shown themselves to be currently true.  He is one smart little boy!  He does have some delays, and I know we will see more of his real problematic issues as he settles in, but for now he is absolutely charming!  He is enamored with his own space and toys just for him.  So far he has not eaten much but I know he likes grapes!  He has played outside with Mykhal and Kerrie this evening on bikes.  We got out the big tricycle for him to ride.  We did have to go to Walmart to get his medicines and then got some fun spiderman things for A while we waited.  He needed a toothbrush, new shoes, swim trunks, and we got him a watch.  He doesn't tell time yet, but it's a great learning tool!  We are watching a movie together this evening at A's request.  So our first few ours together have been great!

Another new adventure

We have been asked to take placement of a very troubled little 6 yo boy starting this Friday.  He has siblings but needs to not be with them.  He will get to see them once a week.  He has his own set of challenges and delays but so do all the rest.  We just have to keep in mind the things that are specific to him.  We are very excited to be able to provide a safe place for this little guy!  No idea at this time how long he will be with us but we will love on him while he is here. 

Decisions

After Russ got home yesterday afternoon and we had a wonderful meal with great conversation, it was decided that we will just foster and provide respite care.  If/when the need/desire arises we will adopt.  We are laughing at ourselves since this is totally opposite of what we had decided we wanted to do going into this process!  But this is what feels right to us as a family.  I have witnessed further healing, and our growth as a family.  We have drawn closer together and closer to God.  His touch in our lives never ceases to amaze me!  So Russ is planning to get his cpr/first aid certification updated tonight and then we will just wait for the next phone call!